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It's a very solid and professional looking reel, have you ever done anything outside of the Syfy channel?

Oh thank you!
Yes, I've done a few things that have been on Hallmark, and some other channels I don't really know about... one was on ABC, and there are a couple films I worked on (one recent one called Tucker and Dale vs Evil).

The song was a good choice. At least in my opinion. It doesn't take away from the reel, nor add to it. It was better than what I usually get when I see demo reels: angst rock, hip hop rock, classical score.

I've seen Tucker and Dale vs Evil. It's not the best flick in the world, but the SFX and animation were top notch.

2868 - haven't seen T&DvsE yet, I've heard a lot of good things but it doesn't look like the type of movie I would like either I only did a small bit of vfx, just the bees chasing that one guy. It was a pretty fun scene to work on though Glad you liked the fx!

So awhile back I made some dolls for Christmas presents for some friends and family members.
They were Scott Radke inspired, and I use one in my sig so I thought I'd share them

Here's a crow:

The head and hands were made of paper clay (very light-weight and air dry), painted with acrylic and guache. I made the body with black fabric, stuffed it, and sewed feathers onto it.

A Bear:

Since these were my first dolls ever made, I'm afraid I lacked the talent to sew an entire bear from scratch. So I just bought a used teddy bear, washed it, and ripped its face off. I also cut open its chest, sewed a heart inside and put that cute zipper in.

The Wizard:

This one was the most detailed, but unfortunately it also looks the roughest. I think I rushed this one. I also had to make its clothes and I'm just really bad at sewing. Anyhow, the little book is actually leather-bound, and packed full of magic spells, occult images and witchcraft I found on the internet. His cape and hat were actually navy blue, not black.

Hey just watched the video in first post, sorry if ive missed an updated version.

Im in a slightly different line of work to you, I'm an animator at lionhead, and just do character animation, no visual effects etc.

What I would say is, if you want to improve the reel for jobs that are heavily weighted toward the animation side? In all honesty I dont think there are any pieces in there currently that show off animation.

If you are interested in animation jobs, I would highlight that by making something new or taking out a tonne of the effects and camera for a piece or two to really show the animation. All the pieces you have right now are either too wrapped up in other stuff (camera movement, real life actors, lighting obscuring the animation etc). I would also say that b/c you were working within those limits, I would imagine the animation suffered a lot from those constraints.

It's definately cool that you can show some recognisible stuff, but I would prioritise what actually looks good before jamming in everything that you think people might recognise.

Btw, if you are really more into compositing and effects and stuff, I guess I'm not the guy to be giving out advice.

Also I would make it shorter, a lot lot shorter. almost 3 minutes is way too long in my opinion and you have to remember you reel is only as good as the worst animation in it.

There was definately a varying level of quality in the work and I honestly think you would get more traction if you had a 60 second long reel with your 3 or 4 best best best pieces.

Oh, and if you are applying to both pure animation jobs and also effects jobs? I would really think hard about making 2 seperate reels. If you are only applying for jobs that are animation AND effects, then ignore that.

Is there any chance I could see some more clear animation shots, maybe you have breakdowns from those scenes that are just the animation?

EDIT: I just read the first post so some of this may be addressed and sorry for being lazy but I'm just skimming over lunch at work and don't have a load of time

what's your favourite Heinlein story? I am just finishing up Stranger From a Strange Land. I don't think I've ever read a book that made me feel so internally conflicted about my own opinions before reading this.

My favorite would have to be Time Enough For Love, which is both my favorite of his and of all else. Stranger is also a shortlist favorite of mine, and I think the third or fourth book of his I read (way back in high school). It's one I haven't returned to in a while, but I certainly agree with your assessment of it.

I could go on at great lengths about his various stories I've enjoyed, but I will say, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress is memorable to me for eliciting such an emotional response over such an unexpected character.